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 9, 1978 ~ Bassist, producer Even Ormested, full name Even Enersen Ormestad, born in Tønsberg, Norway ~ Original member of Jagga Jazzist alongside Martin Horntveth and Lars Horntveth. The group draws from jazztronica, acid jazz, jazz fusion, avant-garde, experimental rock, and post-rock, and is highly regarded by critics for a string of albums starting with Jævla Jazzist Grete Stitz released in 1996. Ormested has also worked with Marit Larsen, Mathias Eick, Anneli Drecker, and Jenny Hval, and co-runs the Albatross Recorders recording studio, located in Oslo, Norway
November 9, 1978 ~ Singer Miguelito Valdes passed away in Bogota, Columbia ~ Former auto mechanic and prize amateur boxer started as a multi-instrumentalist in the night clubs of Havana, playing guitar, tres, double bass, timbal, and occasionally taking up vocals. Once his vocal capabilities were realized his career took off, and he would go on to collaborate with a host of top-notch Latin conductors and orchestras. In the US known for working with Xavier Cugat and appearing in a number of films such as You Were Never Lovelier alongside Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth ~ Valdés was born in 1912
November 9, 1978 ~ Mark Althavan Andrews, commonly known as singer, rapper Sisqó, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Lead singer of Dru Hill, with whom he recorded four albums since the mid 1990s. The R&B group is known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits In My Bed, Never Make A Promise, and How Deep Is Your Love. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Unleash The Dragon in 1999, spawning the hits Incomplete and Thong Song, both of which also reached top 10. Sisqó is also noted as guest vocalist on Mya's It's All About Me 1998 hit single
November 9, 1977 ~ Pop, soul singer, actress Maya Bouskilla born in Netanya, Israel ~ Discovered by a scout for Helicon Records, one of Israel's best selling labels, who heard her singing in a karaoke bar. Her Sold Out Story debut album followed in 2004, and sold over 20,000 copies in the first month. Has recorded consistently since, and ventured into acting. Bouskilla had been tapped to represent her native Israel at the 2009 Eurovision Songfestival, but bowed out at the last minute
November 9, 1976 ~ Singer, songwriter Josh Kaufman born in Sarasota, Florida, USA ~ Best known for winning the sixth season of the NBC talent contest The Voice in 2014. The Bonnie Raitt cover I Can't Make You Love Me from the show would reach the low 70s of the Billboard Hot 100. Prior to his success on the show, Kaufmann has recorded with his band the New Etiquette, their eponymous The New Etiquette album released in 2012. After the show Kaufman released his eponymous Josh Kaufman album in 2016, and has performed on Broadway in the Home For The Holidays (Live On Broadway) show the following year
November 9, 1976 ~ Rock, heartland rock, roots rock singer, guitarist Tom Petty releases his Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers debut album ~ Upon its release, the album received little attention in America. The album did better abroad as following an intensive UK tour two of its singles reached the British charts, giving Tom Petty his first taste of chart success. Anything That's Rock & Roll peaked at No.36, and its follow-up American Girl reached No.40. Despite positive reviews in the American press, it took about a year for the album to reach the Billboard Hot 200 album charts where the album eventually peaked at No.55. Breakdown, initially issued as the album's lead single, would reach No.40 Billboard Hot 100 upon its rerelease. Despite the album's initial limited commercial success both Breakdown and American Girl have become staples of rock radio, and remain popular to this day. Over time, the album has grown on American audiences up to the point many consider it a pivotal album in the development of heartland rockNovember 9, 1975 ~ Gospel singer, songwriter DeWayne Woods, full name Dewayne Lamont Woods, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ First gained attention working with Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers. Released his The Poets The Psalms & The Psalmists solo debut album in 2003. Especially acclaimed for its follow-up, 2006's Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet, earning him a Stellar Award for Male Vocalist of the Year
November 9, 1975 ~ R&B group the Ohio Players release Love Rollercoaster, lifted off their Honey album ~ The band's second Billboard Hot 100 charttopper, preceded by Fire the previous year, Love Rollercoaster has been the subject of a persistent urban myth, originating from an incidental comment made by a radio DJ. It has been speculated that a certain scream heard in the background is the voice of a girl being murdered live while the tape was rolling. According to the band's drummer James Diamond Williams, however, the legend has no merit in truth yet at the time they decided not to correct the tale: “There is a part in the song where there's a breakdown. It's guitars and it's right before the second verse and Billy Beck does one of those inhaling-type screeches like Minnie Riperton did to reach her high note or Mariah Carey does to go octaves above. The DJ made this crack and it swept the country. People were asking us, ‘Did you kill this girl in the studio?’ The band took a vow of silence because you sell more records that way”
November 9, 1975 ~ Sheldon Pitt, commonly known as hip hop, contemporary R&B, pop rapper, producer, songwriter Solitair, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Along with Kardinal Offishal, a founding member of the Black Jays production team and now defunct record label. As a duo they are known best for their remix of Jay-Z's 2003 album The Black Album, issued in 2004 as The Black Jays Album. Pitt has served as producer for mostly Toronto-based hip hop artists, usually teaming up with either Offishal or later Cipha Sounds. Notable productions include tracks by Nina Sky, Glenn Lewis, Cham, Maestro, the Rascalz, Ivana Santilli, Jully Black, Choclair, Sugar Jones, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, DJ Khaled, Jim Jones, Elephant Man, and Trey Songz. Pitt is also known to volunteer, helping at-risk high school students in his native Toronto
November 9, 1974 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet by rock outfit Bachman-Turner Overdrive hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Bachman-Turner Overdrive become just the second Canadian band to score an American No.1 hit. The first to top the Billboard Hot 100 was another Randy Bachman-band, the Guess Who's American Woman holding the top position for three consecutive weeks in 1970
November 9, 1974 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Silje Wergeland born in Bergen, Norway ~ Fronted all-female metal, goth rock outfit Octavia Sperati, known best for their 2005 Winter Enclosure debut album. Wergeland joined the internationally acclaimed Dutch rock outfit the Gathering in 2009, first appearing on the album The West Pole, taking over for longtime lead singer Anneke van Giersbergen who left to form Agua de Annique. Wergeland has cited Black Sabbath, Pantera, Pink Floyd, and Norwegian folk as influences
November 9, 1973 ~ Singer, pianist Billy Joel releases his Piano Man sophomore album ~ Lost the moustache, lost the record deal, and it would turn out for the best. Freed from his previous label, Family Productions, where he made one dissappointing album and then struggled to get out of his contract, Billy Joel releases his sophomore effort through Columbia Records. Reviews were mixed, but mostly positive, and in general critics acknowledged Joel's potential. As it would later turn out, Joel would need a few more albums to make a breakthrough. Still, the album sold reasonably well, critics were encouraging, and the title track, Piano Man, would not only become Joel's first moderate hit, but over time one of his best known and well loved songs
November 9, 1973 ~ Singer Nick Lachey, full name Nicholas Scott Lachey, born in Harlan, Kentucky, USA ~ Lead singer for boy band 98°, which also included his brother Drew Lachey. Unlike most boy bands the group was not conceived by label executives but formed naturally, picked up by a record company later. The band has been active since the mid 1990s, and is known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Because Of You, The Hardest Thing, and Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche), as well as the No.1 Thank God I Found You featuring Mariah Carey and Joe. During the band's hiatus from 2003 through 2012, Lachey would record as a solo artist, and focus on a career as TV personality and host, starting with the MTV reality show Newlyweds Nick and Jessica with his then-wife actress Jessica Simpson. Lachey divorced Simpson in 2006, and has since married former Miss Teen USA Vanessa MinnilloNovember 9, 1972 ~ Carolyn Bradford, commonly known as rock, blues-rock guitarist Carolyn Wonderland, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Actively recording since the mid 1990s. Draws from a wide array of musical influences including country, swing, zydeco, surf, gospel, and soul. Worked with Ray Benson, the Loose Affiliation Of Saint And Sinners, and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
November 9, 1972 ~ Punk rock, riot grrrl, indie rock singer, guitarist, drummer Corin Tucker, full name Corin Lisa Tucker, born in Eugene, Oregon, USA ~ Singer, guitarist, co-founding member of Sleater-Kinney, known for their liberal and feminist views. The band is considered one of the most important 1990s indie rock groups, especially acclaimed for their 1996 Call The Doctor sophomore album and its follow-up Dig Me Out released the following year. Tucker preciously fronted her own Corin Tucker Band and worked with Heavens to Betsy. Also a member of alternative rock supergroup Filty Friends
November 9, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist Susan Tedeschi born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Critically compared to Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin, both of whom she cited as influences. Other influences include Buddy Guy, Johnny Guitar Watson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Buddy Guy. As a solo artist best known for her 1995 Better Days debut album and its follow-up Just Won't Burn released in 1998. By the turn of the decade she would open for acts such as John Mellencamp, BB King, Taj Mahal, and Bob Dylan. Formed the Tedeschi-Trucks Band with Derek Trucks in 2010, whom she had met opening for the Allman Brothers Band and married in 2001November 9, 1969 ~ Riot grrl, punk rock singer, songwriter Allison Wolfe born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ One of the leading voices of the riot grrl movement, especially known as frontwoman of pun-rock outfit Bratmobile. Has also fronted bands such as Cold Cold Hearts, Deep Lust, Partyline, and Sex Stains
November 9, 1969 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones play two shows at the the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California ~ As part of their 1969 American tour, the Stones play two shows at the Oakland venue. The concert would be recorded by a member of the audience, and distributed within a month as Live'r Than You'll Ever Be, one of the first live bootlegs. It has been rumored that the band themselves had released the album, but it is generally assumed that they didn't and actually felt forced to release their own official live album from the tour due to the popularity of the bootleg. The official Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out would mostly contain material from their Madison Square Garden concerts at the end of November, and be released the following year. The official Stones album would be critically acclaimed, hailed as possibly the best live album in rock history
November 9, 1969 ~ Vocal duo Simon & Garfunkel record Bridge Over Troubled Water ~ A 1970 single and title track of the duo's fifth and final album. Paul Simon had originally composed the song in G major, but arranger Jimmie Haskell transposed the song to E flat major to better suit the voice of Art Garfunkel, who sang lead. The duo were backed by first-call studio musicians including Larry Knechtel on piano, Joe Osborn on bass, and Hal Blaine on drums. An instant classic, the song would be recorded by over an estimated 500 artists including Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Roberta Flack, and Johnny Cash. The original Simon & Garfunkel version would top the Billboard Hot 100, and win five Grammy Awards
November 9, 1967 ~ Alternative rock bassist Will Carruthers born in Chesterfield, UK ~ Joined Spacemen 3 in 1988, replacing bassist Pete Bain. First appearing on the 1989 Playing With Fire album and remained with the band until shortly before its official disbandement in 1990. Briefly a member of Spiritualized, appearing on the Anyway That You Want Me single and on the Lazer Guided Melodies. Disillusioned by the music industry would retire from music for a number of years before resurfacing in the late 1990s, initially as a member of the Guaranteed Ugly. Would front his own Freelovebabies in the mid 2000s. Has also worked with psychedelic band the Brian Jonestown Massacre, present on the albums Who Killed Sgt Pepper and AufhebenNovember 9, 1965 ~ Bryn Jones, commonly known as bass-baritone operatic and concert singer Bryn Terfel, born in Pant Glas, UK ~ Known for roles in operatic productions of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Giacomo Puccini, Richard Wagner. Has worked with the Welsh National Opera, the English National Opera, the Royal Opera House, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago
November 9, 1964 ~ Rock, folk-rock, roots rock guitarist, singer Leo Moran born in Galway, Ireland ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist with the Saw Doctors, best known for their 1990 single I Useta Lover which topped the charts in the band's native Ireland for 9 weeks becoming Ireland's all-time biggest-selling single. Has toured with the Waterboys' Anthony Thistlethwaite in 2013 and 2014 during a Doctors hiatus using the duo moniker Leo & Anto
November 9, 1962 ~ R&B group the Miracles release You've Really Got A Hold On Me, lifted off their The Fabulous Miracles album ~ Robinson had been inspired to write the song after hearing Sam Cooke's Bring It On Home To Me, which was in the charts at the time. Initially released as the B-side of Happy Landing, the Smokey Robinson-penned and produced You've Really Got A Hold On Me would become one of the band's biggest hits and most covered tracks. Upon its release, the single would be widely praised by critics, with Cashbox describing the song as “a pulsating beat-ballad romancer that the artists carve out in emotion-packed fashion”. When re-released as an A-side single, it became the band's second single to sell a million copies, preceded by Shop Around, and reached No.8 Billboard Hot 100 and No.1 Billboard R&B. Over the years, the song would be covered by over a hundred artists including Motown labelmates such as the Supremes and the Temptations, as well as artists such as the Beatles, Sonny & Cher, Percy Sledge, Jackie DeShannon, Eddie Money, and Billy Joe Royal. In 1998, the original version by the Miracles would be inducted in the Grammy Hall of FameNovember 9, 1961 ~ As the Beatles play the Cavern Club, Liverpool, local record store owner, Brian Epstein, comes see the show ~ Having heard their name a few times, the curious record store owner Epstein visits the band playing a lunchtime show. Epstein would become their manager, and the following June lands them a record deal with Parlophone Records. Later Epstein would remark on first meeting the band: “I was immediately struck by their music, their beat, and their sense of humour on stage. And, even afterwards, when I met them, I was struck again by their personal charm. And it was there that, really, it all started.”
November 9, 1960 ~ Singer Connie Francis records Ich Komm' Nie Mehr Von Dir Los ~ German version of Francis' English-language recording of Many Tears Ago. Written by Winfield Scott and Toby Luth. Produced by Gerhard Mendelsohn and Arnold Maxin. Connie Francis would later also record the song in Italian as Piangere Per Te Mai Piu and in Spanish as Dime Que Paso