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 27, 1967 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon by Neil Diamond peaks at No.10 Billboard Hot 100 ~ This song struck a chord with female listeners, Neil Diamond's core fanbase, as it conveys the sentiment of a young girl transitioning into a woman. Throughout his career, the song remained one of his best known and most beloved. The song would be notably covered by Urge Overkill, whose rendition would be used for the soundtrack of the Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction released in 1994. Diamond initially objected not to the respectful cover but to its use in the soundtrack, yet it resurged Diamond's career, and boosted sales of Diamond's back catalogue
May 27, 1966 ~ Rock keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, singer Roger Joseph Manning Jr born ~ One of the most beloved figures in '90s underground pop music. Formed the Moog Cookbook with keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr, known for the mid 1990s albums The Moog Cookbook and Ye Olde Space Bande recreating well known songs using vintage keyboard synthesizers. Co-founding member of Jellyfish, and Imperial Drag. Backed Beck for a number of years including on the albums Mutations, Midnite Vultures, and Sea Change. Has also recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Ringo Starr, Blink-182, Katey Sagal, Umajets, Kara's Flowers, David Bowie, Johnny Cash (American IV (The Man Comes Around)), OK Go, Scapegoat Wax, Ziggy Marley, Fiona Apple, Sheryl Crow, Angels & Airwaves, Pink, and Joshua RadinMay 27, 1966 ~ Alternative rock, alternative metal, grunge drummer, pianist Sean Kinney, full name Sean Howard Kinney, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Co-founding member of Alice In Chains, known for songs such No Excuses, Heaven Beside You and Get Born Again. Has also worked with the short-lived supergroup Spys4Darwin and collaborated with Johnny Cash and Metallica
May 27, 1966 ~ Rock outfit the Yardbirds release their Over Under Sideways Down single in the UK ~ Written by all band members, the song was inspired by Bill Haley's Rock Around The Clock. The group had heard Haley's song on the radio and considered adapting it in their own style, combining elements of blues rock and psychedelic rock. Drummer Jim McCarty would later recall: “We needed an intro, and Jeff Beck peeled one out, an instantly recognisable peel that completely took us by surprise. Over and over we listened back to that line, going back and forth over whether it belonged in the song. And then like a flash of lightning, we realised that it did. More than that, it made the song.”May 27, 1965 ~ Singer, guitarist, drummer, songwriter Jamie Freeman born ~ Member of alt-country outfit Salter Cane. Backed his brother singer Tim Freeman in the pop rock band the Frazier Chorus, both as a touring member and appearing on the band's 1995 Wide Awake album. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting in the early-2010s ~ Freeman passed away in 2022
May 27, 1964 ~ Rock bassist Bob Heathcote born ~ Briefly a member of crossover thrash outfit Suicidal Tendencies during the late 1980s, present on the 1988 How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today album and some tracks of the 1989 Controlled By Hatred (Feel Like Shit/Déjà Vu) follow-up album. Previously Heathcote has worked with Los Cycos ~ Heathcote passed away in 2022May 27, 1963 ~ Afro-Cuban jazz pianist, composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba born in Havana, Cuba ~ Leader and sideman. Has recorded as a leader since the mid-1980s. As a sideman graced the albums of Ignacio Berroa, Ron Carter, Juan Luis Guerra, Francisco Céspedes, Chick Corea, Al di Meola, Richard Galliano, Charlie Haden, Katia Labèque, Tony Martinez, and Pat Martino
May 27, 1963 ~ Gabriel Jackson, commonly known as rapper Spoonie Gee, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Went to live with his uncle, record producer Bobby Robinson, at age 12 following his mother's death. One of the first rap artists, credited by some for supposedly coining the term hip-hop. His 1979 Spoonin' Rap single contained jailhouse references that would later become common in gangsta rap. Member of the Treacherous Three alongside LA Sunshine and Kool Moe Dee. Known best for his 1987 The Godfather Of Rap album produced by Marley Marl and Teddy Riley. Other well known songs include Monster Jam, That's My Style and perhaps his best known Love Rap
May 27, 1957 ~ Rock & roll singer Buddy Holly and his backing unit the Crickets record That'll Be The Day in Clovis, New Mexico, USA ~ Written by Jerry Allison and Buddy Holly. Producer Norman Petty was given co-writer credit though he was not involved in the writing process. Line-up: Holly lead vocals and guitar, Larry Welborn bass, Allison drums, Niki Sullivan, June Clark, Gary Tollett and Ramona Tollet background vocals. The song would be included on the 1957 The Chirping Crickets album and released as a single, b/w I'm Looking For Someone To Love, in May 1957. Another Holly classic, Not Fade Away, would be recorded during the same session
May 27, 1957 ~ Edward Hawrysch, commonly known as keyboardist, bassist Eddie Harsch, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known as the Black Crowes keyboardist from 1991 to 2006, replaced by Rob Clores. Also backed James Cotton in the 1980s. Played with Bulldog and with the Detroit Cobras during the Crowes's hiatus. Co-founding member of Magpie Salute ~ Hawrysch passed away in 2016May 27, 1950 ~ Denise Garrett, commonly known as jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Longtime host of NPR's JazzSet With Dee Dee Bridgewater radio show. As a singer active since the 1970s with well over a dozen albums to her name, notably 1977's Just Family and 1997 Dear Ella. Has guested on albums by Frank Foster, Stanley Clarke, Roy Ayers, Norman Connors, Cecil McBee, Carlos Garnett, and Christian McBride
May 27, 1946 ~ Martins Vanags, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Marty Kristian, born in Leipzig, Germany ~ Co-founding member of the New Seekers, remaining with the band from 1969 through 1974 and rejoining in 1976, and present on the band's best known including the UK top 10 hits Never Ending Song Of Love, I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony), Beg Steal Or Borrow, Circles and You Won't Find Another Fool Like MeMay 27, 1946 ~ Jazz upright bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen born in Osted, Denmark ~ Worked with Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Stan Getz, Bill Evans, Ben Webster, Brew Moore, Bud Powell, Count Basie, Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Jackie McLean, Ella Fitzgerald, Jean-Luc Ponty, Jenny Drew, Stéphane Grappelli, Joe Pass, Rune Gustafsson, Palle Mikkelborg, Mulgrew Miller, and Alvin Queen ~ Ørsted Pedersen passed away in 2005
May 27, 1945 ~ Folk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Bruce Cockburn, full name Bruce Douglas Cockburn, born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Has written over 300 songs. Over 30 albums to his name, starting with the eponymous Bruce Cockburn released in 1970. Best known for Wondering Where The Lions Are, a hit in 1979
May 27, 1944 ~ Alain Kienast, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actor Alain Souchon, born in Casablanca, Morocco ~ Closely associated with Laurent Voulzy. Actively recording since the early 1970s. Broke through with the 1977 Jamais Content and has recorded consistently since, his albums regularly reaching the top 10 of the French album charts. Known best for his 1979 L'Amour En Fuite, the theme of the film of the same name, and for his 1993 hit Foule Sentimentale of his million-selling C'Est Deja Ça album
May 27, 1944 ~ William Adamson, commonly known as pop rock drummer Billy Adamson, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Longtime drummer for the Searchers, joining the band in 1969 after their most famous period. Present on acclaimed albums such as the eponymous 1979 The Searchers album and 1981's Love's Melodies. Adamson would depart the band in 1998 to spend more time with his family ~ Adamson passed away in 2013
May 27, 1943 ~ Priscilla Marie Veronica White, commonly known as singer Cilla Black, born in Vauxhall, UK ~ Active since the early 1960s. Championed by the Beatles. Introduced to Brian Epstein by John Lennon. Epstein signed her. Producer George Martin produced Cilla's debut Love Of The Loved, written by Lennon and Paul McCartney. Black is known for songs such as Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Something Tells Me Something's Gonna Happen Tonight ~ White passed away in 2015
May 27, 1941 ~ William Beck, commonly known as singer Johnny Sandon, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Merseybeat singer best known as a member of Remo 4, including on the singles Lies and Yes. As a solo artist best known for mid 1960s recordings such as Sixteen Tons, Donna Means Heartbreak and The Blizzard. Also a member of the Searchers. Shared a manager, Brian Epstein, with the Beatles ~ Beck passed away in 1996
May 27, 1941 ~ Classical, jazz double bassist, composer Teppo Hauta-aho born in Janakkala, Finland ~ Equally adept in orchestral, chamber music, classical, and opera settings, as well as in jazz, free jazz, and improvisational music, Hauta-aho would become one of the most well respected Finnish bassists and an in-demand sideman in jazz from the 1970s onwards. A prolific composer with over 300 works to his name, Hauta-aho drew from a wide array of influences, and is best known for the award-winning Fantasia for trumpet and orchestra and Kadenza for solo bass, the latter often a required piece in competitions. Hauta-aho has played with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra from the mid 1960s through the early 1970s, and subsequently with the Finnish National Opera. Hauta-aho has often collaborated with pianist, singer Carita Holmström, his regular duo partner, and appeared on recordings with Juhani Aaltonen, Edward Vesala (Nan Madol), Pekka Pöyry, Anthony Braxton, Evan Parker, the Quintet Moderne, Barre Phillips (To Face The Bass), the Otherworld Ensemble, Cecil Taylor, and Kalle Kalima. Composer Harry Wessman has praised Hauta-aho for his compositional technique: “Hauta-aho's own instrument, the double bass, has profited especially from his rich inventiness in finding new means to conjure forth unusual sounds from the instrument, and in applying them in an artistically meaningful and striking way” ~ Hauto-aho passed away in 2021
May 27, 1939 ~ Singer, songwriter Don Williams, full name Donald Ray Williams, born in Floydada, Texas, USA ~ Known as “the Gentle Giant” of country music. Formed the Pozo Seco Singers which also included Susan Taylor and Lofton Cline. Staff songwriter with Cowboy Jack Clement's music publishers. Strong influence on later country singers. Had his songs recorded by the likes of Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Lefty Frizzell, Josh Turner, Sonny James, Alison Krauss, Billy Dean, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Lambchop, Alan Jackson, Tomeu Penya, Waylon Jennings, and Pete Townshend ~ Williams passed away in 2017May 27, 1939 ~ R&B, pop songwriter Marilyn McLeod born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Staff songwriter for Motown. Best known for co-penning songs such as Diana Ross's Love Hangover, High Inergy's You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On), and Jermaine Jackson's Let Me Tickle Your Fancy. Others who recorded her songs include Junior Walker & the All-Stars, Millie Jackson, Freda Payne, Anita Baker, and Pepsi & Shirlie ~ MacLeod passed away in 2021
May 27, 1937 ~ TV producer, executive Peter Pinne, full name Peter Norman Pinne, born in Victoria, Australia ~ Best known as a TV producer for various Australian shows. As a composer known for co-writing a number of musicals, including several specifically for children from the early 1970s onwards, usually in partnership with Don Battye
May 27, 1935 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Len Chandler, full name Len Hunt Chandler Jr, born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Part of the 1960s protest movement. As a recording artist known for the albums To Be A Man and The Lovin' People, both released in 1967. Best known for penning Beans In My Ears, later covered by both the Serendipity Singers and Pete Seeger ~ Chandler passed away in 2023
May 27, 1935 ~ Jazz pianist, keyboardist Ramsey Lewis, full name Ramsey Lewis Emmanuel Lewis Jr, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Over 80 albums to his name starting in the 1950s. Known for songs such as The In-Crowd, Hang On Sloopy and Wade In The Water. His Ramsey Lewis Trio has at times included Isaac Holt and Eldee Young of future Young-Holt Unlimited fame, Cleveland Eaton, Maurice White who would later found Earth Wind & Fire, Morris Jennings, Frankie Donaldson, Bill Dickens, and Felton Crews ~ Lewis passed away in 2022May 27, 1931 ~ William Charles Disley, commonly known as jazz guitarist Diz Disley, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Influenced by Django Reinhardt. Collaborated with Stéphane Grappelli. Also worked with Ken Colyer, Mick Mulligan, George Melly, Cy Laurie, Sandy Brown, Kenny Ball, Alex Welsh, Nigel Kennedy, Big Jay McNeely, and Ray Campi ~ Disley passed away in 2010
May 27, 1931 ~ Drummer, singer Tommy Brown born in Lumpkin, Georgia, USA ~ Enjoyed his greatest succes in the early 1950s when teaming up with the Griffin Brothers for a number of recordings, in particular Tra La La and Weeping And Crying. The Griffins had previously backed, on tour and on record, artists such as Amos Milburn, Paul Williams, and Margie Day. Brown also worked with Bill Doggett and Big Walter Horton ~ Brown passed away in 2016