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.
November 18, 1978 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, Double Vision by Foreigner peaks at No.2 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Lifted off the album of the same name, Double Vision is often misinterpreted as a drug song. However, the inspiration for the song came when the band's guitarist Mick Jones and lead singer Lou Gramm, who co-wrote the song, visited a hockey game and saw the New York Rangers goalie John Davidson get knocked out during the 1977 Stanley Cup Playoffs. As Jones would later tell: “I was an avid Rangers fan in those days, and Lou and I went to a game, and the goaltender for the Rangers got a concussion, and it was announced over the PA that he was taken off and was suffering from double vision. I'd never heard that term before, and we picked up on it. And then that led to the title for that song.” At the time of its release, Double Vision became the band's highest charting single and fourth American top 10 hit, preceded by Feels Like The First Time, Cold As Ice, and Hot Blooded
November 18, 1977 ~ John David Jackson, commonly known as rapper Fabolous, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Debuted with the 2001 Ghetto Fabolous album, spawning the hit singles Can't Deny It featuring Nate Dogg and Young'n (Holla Back). Would go on to score numerous hits including Can't Let You Go featuring Lil' Mo & Mike Shorey, Into You featuring Tamia, and Make Me Better featuring Ne-Yo. Also collaborated with Jagged Edge, P Diddy, Jeezy, Jeremih, 2 Chainz, Lil' Uzi Vert, Jadakiss, Ty Dolla $ign, E-40, Lumidee, The-Dream, and Jamie FoxxNovember 18, 1977 ~ Theodora King, commonly known as jazz, pop singer Teddi King, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for a number of 1950s singles including Married I Can Always Get, Say It Isn't So and perhaps her best known Mr Wonderful, the latter making the top 20 in 1956. Worked with Nat Pierce, Beryl Booker, and George Shearing ~ King was born in 1929
November 18, 1974 ~ Pop, surf outfit the Beach Boys record Child Of Winter (Christmas Song) ~ Written by Stephen Kalinich and Brian Wilson, the latter also serving as producer. Released as a standalone single, b/w Susie Cincinnati, the week of Christmas. Brian's daughters Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson can be heard on cowbellsNovember 18, 1971 ~ Lamar Dupré Calhoun, commonly known as hip-hop producer, DJ Crazy Toones, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known as a member of 1990s rap group WC & the Maad Circle, present on the albums Ain't A Damn Thing Changed and Curb Servin'. As a solo artist, Calhound has released a number of mixtapes starting with That Nigga's Crazy (Maad Circle Underground Part 1 in 1996 ~ Calhoun passed away in 2017
November 18, 1971 ~ Herman Parker Jr, commonly known as singer, songwriter Junior Parker, passed away in Blue Island, Illinois, USA ~ Known for songs such as Next Time You See Me, Driving Wheel, Annie Get Your Yo-Yo, Sweet Home Chicago, and The Things That I Used To Do. Worked with the Blue Flames, Pat Hare, Bobby Blue Bland, Johnny Ace, the Blues Consolidated Revue, and Ike Turner ~ Parker was born in 1932
November 18, 1971 ~ Rock, hard rock, punk rock, pop singer, actress Özlem Tekin born in California, USA ~ American-born moved to Turkey with her family at age 4. Started as a hard rock singer yet has progressed to record various other genres including house, punk, pop and Turkish folk. Classically trained. Member of underground rock band the Bad. Member of all-female rock group Volvox. As a solo artist shot to national fame with her 1996 Kime Ne debut album, which spawned the hit single Ask Hersey Affeder Mi. Has recorded to warm reception since and ventured into acting and TV work. Well known songs include Vol, Sil Bastan and Aslan Yarim
November 18, 1971 ~ Warren Griffin III, commonly known as rapper Warren G, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ One third of hip-hop trio 213 alongside Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg. As a solo artist best known for his 1994 hit Regulate and his first two albums, 1994's Regulate (G-Funk Era) and 1997's Take A Look Over Your Shoulder. Has collaborated with Mista Grimm, Twinz, the Dove Shack, Adina Howard, RBX, Kurupt, Eve, Slick Rick, Jermaine Dupri, Mack 10, WC, E-40, Too $hort, Jeezy, and Bun BNovember 18, 1969 ~ Rock bassist Phil Buckman, full name Philip Bradley Buckman, born in New York, New York, USA ~ To rock audiences best known as bassist for industrial rock band Filter, alternative rock band Fuel and rock band Steel Panther. Also known for his extensive career as an voiceover, film and television actor
November 18, 1969 ~ Alternative rock, country drummer Travis McNabb, full name Travis Aaron McNabb, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as member of Better Than Ezra from 1996, replacing Cary Bonnecaze, through 2009. Present on some of the band's best known tracks including The King Of New Orleans, Desperately Wanting and At The Stars. Prior to his time with Ezra has sessioned and toured with the likes of the Vigilantes Of Love, Shawn Mullins, the Indigo Girls. After his departure from Ezra returned to session work, including with Brendan Benson, Little Big Town, Howie Day, Dar Williams, Mandi Perkins, and notably with country, bluegrass duo Sugarland
November 18, 1965 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Tim DeLaughter born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ As a singer critically compared to Ozzy Osbourne, Perry Farrell, and Wayne Coyne. Frontman of neo-psychedelic outfit Tripping Daisy. Following the sudden death of guitarist Wes Berggren of a drug overdose, the band cancelled its upcoming tour dates and completed some minor recording sessions for their fourth and final album, the eponymous Tripping Daisy, before disbanding. Berggren's father Don Berggren is also present on the album, playing electric piano on the unfinished song Soothing Jubilee. With the exception of drummer Benjamin Curtis, all band members would go on to form chamber pop group the Polyphonic Spree, making an immediate smash with the highly acclaimed The Beginnings Of The Polyphonic Spree album released in 2002. DeLaughter is married to his high school sweatheart Julie Doyle, who provides backing vocals for the SpreeNovember 18, 1962 ~ Alternative rock, industrial singer, guitarist, keyboardist Pelle Ossler born in Bjuv, Sweden ~ Member of Wilmer X from 1986 through 2003. Also closely associated with singer Joakim Thåström, both on Thåström's solo projects and in the industrial band sällskapet. Ossler has also recorded half a dozen solo albums, starting with 1997's Neanderthal, and guested on recordings by Sir Lord Erotic, Stefan Sundström, Katharina Nuttall and Andi Almqvist
November 18, 1960 ~ Keyboardist David Hirschfelder born in Ballarat, Australia ~ Worked with Pyramid, the Little River Band, Blowout, Dragon, John Farnham, and Stylus. Hirschfelder is also known as a film composer, notable credits including the scores to Strictly Ballroom, The Railway Man, The Water Diviner, and The Dressmaker
November 18, 1959 ~ Jazz, rock drummer Cindy Blackman born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA ~ Wife of Carlos Santana. Blackman has released solo albums since the early 1990s and guested on albums of greats such as Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Simmons, Ron Carter, Sam Rivers, Cassandra Wilson, Angela Bofill, Buckethead, Bill Laswell, Lenny Kravitz, Joe Henderson, and Wallace Roney
November 18, 1958 ~ Singer, bassist Laura Lynch born in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, bassist for the Dixie Chicks, Present on the band's first three albums, Thank Heavens For Dale Evans, Little Ol' Cowgirl and Shouldn't A Told You That, before departing the band in 1990. Upon hearing of her death in a traffic collission at age 65, the band issued a statement saying: “We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together. Her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band. Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West.” ~ Lynch passed away in 2023November 18, 1956 ~ Pop, rock, jazz drummer Tiziano Tononi born in Milan, Italy ~ Worked with the Democratic Orchestra Milano, Nexus, Moon On The Water, Pierre Favre, Tiziana Ghiglioni, Maggie Nichols, Barre Phillips, Dewey Redman, Giancarlo Schiaffini, Gianluigi Trovesi, the Jazz Chromatic Ensemble, the Italian Instabile Orchestra, Beppe Caruso, Renato Geremia, and Michel Godard
November 18, 1955 ~ Ilkka Tahvo Kallio, commonly known as guitarist, singer Ile Kallio, born in Oulo, Finland ~ Co-founding member of the Hurriganes, enjoying popularity in Finland, Sweden and Estonia in the 1970s and 1980s with a pre-British Invasion style of roots rock and rock & roll. Started a parallel solo career in the mid 1970s. Has also notably collaborated with Kaija Kärkinen, releasing about a dozen albums as a duo from the 1990s through the 2010s
November 18, 1954 ~ Singer Teresa Brewer records Let Me Go Lover ~ Written by Jenny Lou Carson, Fred Wise, Kay Twomey and Ben Weisman. Previously recorded by Mitch Miller for use in the TV show Studio On. Teresa Brewer's version would reach No.6 on the Billboard pop charts. Also recorded by Patti Page and Peggy Lee
November 18, 1953 ~ Pop rock guitarist Alan Murphy born ~ Best known as member of Go West. Closely associated with Kate Bush, backing Bush both on tour and on the albums Never For Ever, The Dreaming, Hounds Of Love, and The Sensual World. Appeared on the Ace hit single How Long. Joined Level 42 in 1988 and remained with the band until his death the following year, present on the album Staring At The Sun. In-demand touring and session musician, worked with acts such as SFX, the Fusion Orchestra, David Bowie, Nick Heyward, Joan Armatrading, Mike + the Mechanics (Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)), Scritti Politti, and Miquel Brown ~ Murphy passed away in 1989
November 18, 1952 ~ Guitarist Ed Deane born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Influenced by Son House, Robert Johnson, Skip James. Noted for his slide and lap steel guitar playing. Formed Blueshouse at age 16. Also worked with Woods, Skid Row, Bees Make Honey, Il Barritz, Graham Parker, Juice On The Loose, Dana Gillespie, Shuggie Otis, Sonny Rhodes, Larry Johnson, Lowell Fulson, Richard Berry, Big Jay McNeely, Shane MacGowan, and Henry McCulloughNovember 18, 1952 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter John Parr born in Nottingham, UK ~ Best known for his 1985 hit St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion). Has written and performed several major motion picture themes. Wrote Roger Daltrey's Under A Raging Moon with Julia Downes. Also wrote or co-wrote songs for Meat Loaf, Tom Jones, the Monkees, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Romeo's Daughter, David Essex, and Bucks Fizz
November 18, 1951 ~ Reggae, ska, rocksteady singer Ernest Wilson, full name Fitzroy Ernest Wilson, born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica ~ In 1963, at age 11, formed the Clarendonians with Peter Austin. Present on mid 1960s local hits such as Rudie Gone A Jail, I'll Never Change, and Try Me One More Time. Wilson ventured out on his own by 1967, his best known hits being Undying Love, Private Number and Freedom Train. Internationally best known for his 1976 Let True Love Be single backed by Harold Butler & the Four Corners. Has also guested on recordings by Beres Hammond, Inner Circle, Johnny Osbourne, Jimmy Reilly, Gregory Isaacs, Tinga Stewart, and Kiddus I ~ Wilson passed away in 2021
November 18, 1951 ~ Yonatan Rechter, commonly known as progressive rock, jazz, classical pianist, singer, arranger, composer Yoni Rechter, born in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Joined Kaveret in 1972, remaining with the band until its disbandement in 1976. When the band participated in the 1974 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching joint 7th place with Natati La Khayay, rules allowed only up to six members being on-stage so Rechter would serve as the ensemble's conductor. Rechter also formed the progressive rock duo 14 Octaves with Avner Kenner, arranged and wrote for leading Israeli singers including Arik Einstein (Once And Forever), and produced albums for Gidi Gov, Esther Ofarim, Yossi Banai and Yehudit Ravitz. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Intending released in 1979
November 18, 1950 ~ Singer, songwriter Graham Parker born in East London, UK ~ Often said to have preceded singer-songwriters Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson. Best known for his 1970s, 1980s recordings with his backing unit the Rumour, especially acclaimed for the Squeezing Out Sparks album released in 1979
November 18, 1949 ~ Bonje Cornelia Swart, commmonly known as pop singer Bonnie St Claire, born in Rozenburg, the Netherlands ~ Discovered by Peter Koelewijn. Teamed up with Unit Gloria in the erly 1970s. Known for songs such as Tame Me Tiger, Rocco Don't Go and perhaps her best known Dokter Bernard with Ron BrandstederNovember 18, 1949 ~ Singers Fran Warren and Tony Martin record I Said My Pajamas (And Put On My Prayers) ~ Written by George Wyle and Edward Pola. The most popular version would be Fran Warren and Tony Martin's, reaching top 10 on the pop charts in 1950. Other hit versions the same year were released by Ray Bolger with Ethel Merman, by Margaret Whiting, and by Doris Day