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 29, 1978 ~ Pop, hip-hop, drum and bass singer, songwriter Daniel Pearce born in Kent, UK ~ Member of One True Voice, a band created through the 2002 talent contest Popstars The Rivals aired on ITV. The band would score the UK top 10 hits Sacred Trust and Shakespeare's Way With Words. Following the band's disbandement has performed in the West End musical Jailhouse Rock, collaborated with Dizzee Rascal, and co-founded the funk, rock band Shuffler serving as the band's lead singer
May 29, 1978 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Pelle Almqvist born in Fagersta, Sweden ~ Lead singer of garage rock, garage punk outfit the Hives, known for a number of 2000s songs most notably 2004's Walk Idiot Walk, 2007's Tick Tick Boom and 2008's A Christmas Duel with Cyndi LauperMay 29, 1978 ~ Trumpeter, composer Sean Jones born in Warren, Ohio, USA ~ Sessioned with artists such as Tia Fuller, Joe Lovano, Gerald Wilson, Tom Harrell, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Nancy Wilson, Charles Famborough, and Steve Turre. Has been releasing albums as a leader since the mid 2000s
May 29, 1977 ~ Singer Gene Mumford, full name Eugene Mumford, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Lead singer of vocal group the Larks, known for early 1950s songs such as When I Leave These Prison Walls, Eyesight To The Blind and Little Side Car. Mumford would briefly sing with the Golden Gate Quartet before returing with a renewed incarnation of the Larks ~ Mumford was born in 1925
May 29, 1976 ~ Gülsen Colakoglu, mononymously known as singer, songwriter Gülsen, born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Debuted with Be Adam in 1996. Would break through to mainstream audiences, becoming one of the most popular Turkish singers with her fourth album Of (Of) in 2004 and has recorded to commercial success since. Especially successful in the mid-2010s, songs such as Yurtta Ask Cihanda, Yeni Biri, Kardan Adam, and Bangir Bangir all reaching the No.1 spot in her native Turkey
May 29, 1975 ~ Melanie Janine Brown, commonly known as pop singer Mel B, born in Leeds, UK ~ Dubbed Scary Spice. Member of the Spice Girls, one of the all-time best-selling girl groups. Present on hits such as Wannabe, Say You'll Be There and 2 Become 1. Released her Hot solo debut album in 2000, which spawned the UK top 10 hits Tell Me, Feels So Good and I Want You Back, the latter reaching the No.1 spot
May 29, 1969 ~ Chandler Kinchla, commonly known as guitarist Chan Kinchla, born in Hamilton, Canada ~ Co-founding member of jam band Blues Traveler, known for a string of acclaimed 1990s albums notably 1997's Straight On Till Morning. The band scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Run Around in 1995
May 29, 1967 ~ Jazz trombonist, composer, arranger Mark Nightingale born in Evesham, UK ~ Worked with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Bonestructure, Johnny Dankworth, Stan Tracey, Alan Barnes, Andy Panayi, Louie Bellson, Ray Brown, Carl Fontana, Urbie Green, Scott Hamilton, Slide Hampton, Bill Holman, Lee Konitz, Cleo Laine, Claire Martin, Clark Terry, Kenny Wheeler, Steely Dan, Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones, Madonna, Robbie Williams, Henry Mancini, Frank Sinatra, John Wilson, Michel Legrand, the BBC Big Band, James Galway, Charlie Watts, and Georgie Fame
May 29, 1967 ~ Singer, guitarist Noel Gallagher, full name Noel Thomas David Gallagher, born in Manchester, UK ~ Worked as roadie and technician for the Inspiral Carpets before joining his brother Liam Gallagher in what would become Oasis. The band debuted in 1994 with their acclaimed Definitely Maybe album and along with rivals Blur would define 1990s and early 2000s britpop. Well known songs include Cigarettes And Alcohol, Wonderwall, Don't Look Back In Anger, All Around The World, Lyla, and The Importance Of Being Idle
May 29, 1967 ~ Jazz trombonist, composer, bandleader Wycliffe Gordon born in Waynesboro, Georgia, USA ~ Besides trombone also sings and plays a number of instruments including trumpet, tuba, piano and didgeridoo. Son of church organist, classical piano teacher Lucius Gordon. Influenced by Louis Armstrong. Recording extensively as a leader since the late 1990s. Valued sideman. Has worked with Wynton Marsalis, Jay Leonhart, John Allred, Maurice Hines, Ted Nash, Marcus Roberts, Randy Sandke, Ron Westray, and Chip White
May 29, 1964 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, indie pop, shoegazing singer Christina Rosenvinge, full name Christina Rosenvinge Hepworth, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Formed the 1980s duo Alex & Christina with guitarist Alex de la Nuez, with whom she recorded two albums. Fronted 1990s outfit Christina & los Subterráneos, with whom she recorded two albums. Has recorded about a dozen solo albums since the late 1990s, including the acclaimed Foreign Land released in 2004 which featured backing from Steve Shelley, Lee Ranaldo, and Smokey HormelMay 29, 1964 ~ Christopher Wong Won, commonly known as rapper, producer Fresh Kid Ice, born in Port Of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Co-founding member of rap group 2 Live Crew, best known for their 1989 hit single Me So Horny and Banned In The USA the following year. The group would be considered controversial for their sexually explicit lyrics, often bordering on misogyny. Won remained with the group throughout its entire existence ~ Won passed away in 2017
May 29, 1961 ~ Singer, songwriter Melissa Etheridge, full name Melissa Lou Etheridge, born in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA ~ Released her eponymous Melissa Etheridge album in 1988, becoming an underground success and earning a Grammy Award-nomination for its lead single Bring Me Some Water. Broke through to mainstream with her 1993 Yes I Am album. Well known songs include Like The Way I Do, You Can Sleep While I Drive, Come To My Window, If I Wanted To and Just Stand Up
May 29, 1960 ~ Folk flutist, piper, guitarist Ceri Rhys Matthews born in Swansea, UK ~ Seminal figure in the renaissance of Welsh musical traditions. Member of folk outfit Fernhill, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. Served as producer for various compilation albums, including the acclaimed 2009 Blodeugerdd Song Of The Flowers (An Anthology Of Welsh Music And Song) albumMay 29, 1958 ~ Jazz saxophonist Jim Snidero born in Redwood City, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Jack McDuff, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Palmieri, Frank Wess, Walt Weiskopf, David Hazeltine, David Murray, Mike LeDonne, Joe Magnarelli, Maria Schneider, Mel Lewis, Jim Rotondi, Brian Lynch, Conrad Herwig, Tom Varner, Tom Harrell, Benny Green, Mulgrew Miller, Peter Washington, Benny Green, Billy Hart, Louis Hayes, Gene Jackson, Adam Nussbaum, Dave Holland, and Jack DeJohnette
May 29, 1958 ~ Jazz drummer Kenny Washington born in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of bassist Reggie Washington. Kenny has worked with artists such as Ronnie Mathews, Lee Konitz, Betty Carter, Johnny Griffin, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, George Cables, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Ahmad Jamal, Sonny Stitt, James Spaulding, Phil Woods, Bill Charlap, Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, Tommy Flanagan, Ruby Braff, Joshua Breakstone, Teddy Edwards, Benny Green, Etta Jones, Randy Johnston, Jane Monheit, David Fathead Newman, Hod O'Brien, Houston Person, Wallace Roney, Melvin Rhyne, Randy Sandke, James Spaulding, Michael Weiss, John Hicks, Doug Raney, Freddy Cole, Jim Rotondi, Tommy Flanagan, and Andy BeyMay 29, 1958 ~ Singer Ray Price records City Lights ~ Written and previously recorded by Bill Anderson. Ray Price's version, paired with Invitation To The Blues on the B-side, would top the Billboard Country charts for some 3 months through January 1959. It would later be recorded by Ivory Joe Hunter, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, Rick Trevino, and Conway Twitty
May 29, 1956 ~ Singer, actress La Toya Jackson born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Member of the Jackson family. Has released about a dozen albums yet charted only one single, 1984's Heart Don't Lie, on the Billboard Hot 100 mainly due to pursuing her career outside the Jackson family. Jackson also co-wrote Jimmy Cliff's Reggae Nights
May 29, 1955 ~ Rock, hip hop, funk, jazz saxophonist Mars Williams born in Elmhurst, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker. Closely associated with Hal Russell, Ken Vandermark, and the NRG Ensemble. An in-demand sideman, Williams has appeared on albums by Fred Frith (Speechless), the Waitresses, Billy Idol (Rebel Yell), the Psychedelic Furs (Mirror Moves), Power Station, Die Warzau, Sister Machine Gun, Nikki Sudden, Peter Brötzmann (Short Visit To Nowhere), Wayne Kramer, and Ike Reilly (We Belong To The Staggering Evening). Described as “one of the true saxophone players” by John Zorn, who once commented: “Williams is someone who takes pleasure in the sheer act of blowing the horn. His tremendous enthusiasm is an essential part of his sound, and it comes through each note every time he plays.” ~ Williams passed away in 2023
May 29, 1955 ~ Zbigniew Antoni Kowalski, commonly known as film composer Zbigniew Preisner, born in Bielsko-Biala, Poland ~ Has composed orchestral works, for solo instruments, and for theatrical productions. Best known as a film composer with some 50 scores to his name including for the films The Secret Garden, Three Colors (Red), Elisa, and The Island On Bird StreetMay 29, 1954 ~ Elisabeth Juliana de la Fontaine und d'Harnoncourt-Unverzagt, commonly known as mezzo-soprano singer Elisabeth von Magnus, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Daughter of conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt and violinist Alice Harnoncourt. Has worked with her father in several projects, notably a production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Marriage Of Figaro. Closely associated with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, with whom she recorded the complete vocal works of Johann Sebastian Bach under the direction of Ton Koopman
May 29, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter, film composer Danny Elfman born in Amarillo, Texas, USA ~ Lead singer and primary songwriter of new wave outfit Oingo Bongo. Best known as a film composer, having scored over a 100 feature films including Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Good Will Hunting, Big Fish and Milk as well as TV shows such as Desperate Housewives and The SimpsonsMay 29, 1952 ~ Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz born in New York, New York, USA ~ Began playing the piano at age of five. Played at Carnegie Hall at age of eight. Studied jazz piano with Mary Lou Williams. Worked with Clark Terry, Betty Carter, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Greg Abate, George Coleman, Art Davis, Chico Freeman, Dizzy Gillespie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Abbey Lincoln, and Tisziji Muñoz
May 29, 1951 ~ Electric blues, funk pianist, organist Ron Levy born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of Roomful Of Blues from 1983 through 1987. Has also backed Albert King, BB King (Live In Cook County Jail), and Earl King
May 29, 1950 ~ Mandolinist, guitarist, bassist, saxophonist, flutist, singer Pete Zorn born in Somerset, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with Richard Thompson. Also a member of Steeleye Span, of the Albion Band, and of Driver 67. Has collaborated with Gerry Rafferty (including on the LP Snakes & Ladders), Elaine Page, Barbara Dickson, and Chris Rainbow ~ Zorn passed away in 2016
May 29, 1950 ~ Maureen Reillette Jackson, commonly known as singer Rebbie Jackson, born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Eldest sibling of the Jackson family. Released her Centipede debut album in 1984 featuring songs written by Prince, Smokey Robinson and her younger brother Michael Jackson. Known best for songs such as Centipede, Reaction and Plaything, all of which charted on the Billboard R&B charts