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.
October 15, 2022 ~ Michael Benjamin, commonly known as zouk, dancehall singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Mikaben, passed away in Paris, France ~ Son of singer Lionel Benjamin. First gained attention through the talent contest Konkou Chante Nwel, winning 1st place. Drew from konpa, twoubadou, rap kreyol, soca, and reggae. Benjamin passed away at age 41 after suffering cardiac arrest while on stage at the Accor Arena, Paris, France ~ Benjamin was born in 1981
October 15, 2022 ~ Guitarist, singer Noel Duggan passed away in Donegal, Ireland ~ Alongside twin brother Pádraig Duggan rose to fame as member of Clannad, known best for Theme From Harry's Game which reached top 10 in both the UK and the band's native Ireland. The brothers took a hiatus after the band's acclaimed 1998 Landmarks album, releasing their own Rubicon album in 2005 to critical acclaim featuring guests such as Moya Brennan, Finbar Furrey and Orla Fallon ~ Duggan was born in 1949October 15, 2022 ~ Conductor, composer Thomas Sleeper passed away ~ In-demand guest conductor, has worked with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Central Philharmonic Of China, the San Juan Symphony Orchestra, and the Ruse State Philharmonic. Closely associated with the Frost Symphony Orchestra and the Florida Youth Orchestra, serving as the latter's director from 1993 through 2020 ~ Sleeper was born in 1956
October 15, 2020 ~ Drummer Dave Munden passed away ~ Co-founding and last remaining original member of the Tremeloes, remaining with band from 1958 through 2018. The band is known for a string of 1960s UK hits including Someone Someone, Twist And Shout, Candy Man and Someone Someone. The 1967 singles Here Comes My Baby and Silence Is Golden, the latter probably their best known, would also crack the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 ~ Munden was born in 1943October 15, 2020 ~ Bassist Gordon Haskell passed away ~ School friend of Robert Fripp, with whom he also worked. First gained serious attention as member of Les Fleur De Lys. Subsequently briefly played with King Crimson, appearing on the albums In The Wake Of Poseidon and Lizard. As a solo artist best known for the 2001 hit How Wonderful You Are ~ Haskell was born in 1946
October 15, 2013 ~ Jazz drummer Donald Bailey, full name Donald Orlando Bailey Sr, passed away in Montclair, California, USA ~ Best known for backing organist Jimmy Smith from the mid 1950s through the mid 1960s, including on the seminal A New Sound A New Star album released in 1958. Has also worked with the likes of Hampton Hawes (The Seance), the Three Sounds, Roy Ayers, Harold Land (The Peace-Maker), Jimmy Rowles, Mundell Lowe, Blue Mitchell, Carmen McRae, Charles McPherson, and Bebop & Beyond ~ Bailey was born in 1934October 15, 2013 ~ Gloria Wilson, commonly known as jazz singer Gloria Lynne, passed away in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with the Enchanters, the Delltones, Wild Bill Davis, Ernie Wilkins, the Earl May Trio, Marty Paich, and Stanley Turrentine. As a solo artist best known for recordings such as The Impossible, I Wish You Love, and Watermelon Man, the latter co-written with Herbie Hancock ~ Wilson was born in 1929
October 15, 2006 ~ Singer Alexander Graves passed away in New York, USA ~ Member of Harvey Fuqua's doo-wop outfit the Moonglows, best known for a string of 1950s Billboard R&B hits including Most Of All, We Go Together, See Saw, Please Send Me Someone To Love, and The Ten Commandments Of Love. Their best known, the original Sincerely co-written by Fuqua, would reach No.1 Billboard R&B and top 20 on the pop charts. It would notably be covered by the McGuire Sisters ~ Graves was born in 1930
October 15, 1999 ~ Singer, songwriter Terry Gilkyson passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Wrote and first recorded Cry Of The Wild Goose, later a hit for Frankie Laine. Wrote Tell Me A Story for Jimmy Boyd. Sang with the Weavers (On Top Of Old Smokey, Across The Wide Missouri). Formed the Easy Riders with Richard Dehr and Frank Miller, known for their major hit Marianne. Worked as Walt Disney Studios songwriter, including for animated movies Jungle Book and The Aristocats ~ Gilkyson was born in 1916
October 15, 1996 ~ Choi Jun-honh, commonly known as hip hop, K-pop rapper, singer Zelo, born in Mokpo, South Korea ~ Influenced by will.i.am, Kanye West, and 50 Cent. Member of boy band BAP, enjoying popularity in Japan and South Korea with songs such as 1004 (Angel), Warrior, No Mercy, and Excuse Me. Jun-hong has also recorded as a solo artist, best known for his 2019 Distance EP
October 15, 1994 ~ Sebastián Obando Giraldo, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Sebastián Yatra, born in Medellin, Colombia ~ Draws from Latin pop and reggaeton. Best known for his 2016 breakthrough hit Traicionera. Other well known songs include Robarte Un Beso featuring Carlos Vives, Sutra featuring Dálmata and Un Año featuring Reik. Has also collaborated with Wisin, OneRepublic, Joey Montana, David Bisbal, Alejandro Fernández, Tommy Torres, and notably with Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha and the Jonas Brothers on the bilingual single Runaway in 2019
October 15, 1993 ~ Singer Bryan Adams releases Please Forgive Me, lifted off his So Far So Good album ~ Adams and producer Robert John Mutt Lange agreed they needed a new hit single for the So Far So Good compilation album, and headed to the studio with a full band. Bryan Adams would later recall the recording session: “Before this band session, we had recorded the album Waking Up The Neighbours instrument by instrument. It was good to be back with a band.” Please Forgive Me, which shows Adams as a mournful romantic, was warmly received by most critics, Billboard calling it a “delicious hit of ear candy” while Liverpool Echo described the song as “another husky ballad with the kind of simple structure and simple sentiment which should ensure the widest appeal.” The single would top the charts in over half a dozen countries, including the singer's native Canada. In America, it reached No.7 Billboard Hot 100
October 15, 1981 ~ Keyshia Myeshia Johnson, commonly known as R&B, soul, hip-hop singer Keyshia Cole born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Debuted in 2005 with the album The Way It Is, spawning the singles Never featuring Eve, I Changed My Mind, I Just Want It To Be Over, I Should Have Cheated and Love. The album reached Platinum status in just over six months. Cole has been recording since. Collaborated with Lil' Kim, Missy Elliott, Amina, Monica, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Sean Paul, Trina, Jaheim, and DJ KhaledOctober 15, 1981 ~ Edwin Laureano Rosa Vazquez Ortz, commonly known as hip-hop, reggaeton, gangsta rap, Latin trap Nengo Flow, born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico ~ One of the most popular Puerto Rican reggaeton artists. Released his full-length Flow Callejero debut album in 2005. Has collaborated with Anuel AA, Lito & Polaco, J-Alvarez, Daddy Yankee, French Montana, and Ozuna
October 15, 1980 ~ Pianist, singer Bobby Lester passed away in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Founding member and co-lead singer of the Moonglows. Bandmate Harvey Fuqua would usually lead on the rock & roll songs, Lester on the doo-wop songs. Lester sang lead on their 1954 single Sincerely, perhaps their best known, which reached the Billboard top 20 ~ Lester was born in 1930
October 15, 1980 ~ Jose Fernando Cosulieula uarez, commonly known as reggaeton, hip-hop, Latin trap singer, rapper, songwriter Cosculluela, born in Humucao, Puerto Rico ~ First gained attention with the 2005 hit single Te Va Ir Mal. Released a full-length solo album El Principe in 2009. Has collaborated with Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Wisin & Yandel, Nicky Jam, Darkiel, Mexicano 777, Arcángel, De La Ghetto, Kendo Kaponi, Zion & Lennox, J-Alvarez, Ivy Queen, and Nengo Flow
October 15, 1979 ~ Roger David, commonly known as Desi hip-hop, hip-hop rapper Bohemia, born in Karachi, Pakistan ~ Pakistani-American rapper known for having recorded the first full-length Punjabi rap album, 2005's Pesa Nasha Pyar, released by a major label. Has collaborated with Sha One, Kurupt, Mikha Singh, Pakman, and Sean KingstonOctober 15, 1979 ~ Banjoist, guitarist Gus Cannon, full name Gustavus Cannon, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Helped popularize jug bands, including his own Cannon's Jug Stompers, of the 1920s and 1930s. Also recorded under the moniker Banjo Joe. Best known for songs such as Minglewood Blues, Pig Ankle Strut, Wolf River Blues, and Walk Right In, the latter later covered by the Rooftop Singers in the 1960s and by Dr Hook in the 1970s. Worked with Blind Blake, Furry Lewis, Bukka White, Will Shade, and Milton Roby ~ Cannon was born in 1883
October 15, 1979 ~ Jacqueline Davette Velasquez, commonly known as actress, contemporary Christian, Latin pop singer, songwriter Jaci Velasquez, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to her name, starting with My Favorite Songs released in 1990. Sings in both English and Spanish. Best known for songs such as Llegar A Ti featuring MDO, Solo Tu, Como Se Cura Una Herida and No Hace Falta Un Hombre
October 15, 1976 ~ Pop rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Suzie McNeil, full name Susan Jane McNeil, born in Mississauga, Canada ~ First gained attention in 2005 on the talent contest Rock Star INXS aired on CBS. Would release her Broken 7& Beautiful debut album in 2007. The record's second single, Believe would later be re-recorded and used as the official anthem of the Canadian team in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Other well known songs include Supergirl and Merry Go Round. In 2014 McNeil teamed up with Elisha Hoffman, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Marti Frederiksen, forming the country rock outfit Loving MaryOctober 15, 1971 ~ Organist, composer Albert Alain, full name Albert Paul Alain, passed away in St-Germain-en-Laye, France ~ Prolific composer of religious music, having composed over 450 pieces for organ, harmonium and voices. Father of Jehan Alain, Olivier Alain, and Marie-Claire Alain, all renowned organists in their own right ~ Alain was born in 1880
October 15, 1971 ~ Fiddler, violinist Annbjorg Lien born in Ålesund, Norway ~ Mixed traditional Norwegian music with jazz and rock. Worked with Loreena Mckennitt, Bruce Molsky, Mikael Marin, Christine Hanson, Bukkene Bruse, Arve Moen Bergset, Bjørn Ole Rasch, Steinar Ofsdal, the String Sister, and Andy Irvine
October 15, 1970 ~ Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, commonly known as singer, songwriter Ginuwine, born in Washington DC, USA ~ One of the top R&B artists of the 1990s and early 2000s. Member of hip-hop collective Swing Mob. As a solo artist known for hits such as Pony, Differences and In Those Jeans. Collaborated with TGT, Nas, Sole, Missy Elliott, Fat Joe, Timbaland, Funkmaster Flex, and Belly
October 15, 1969 ~ Engineer, producer, guitarist, keyboardist JJ Blair born ~ Worked with Johnny Cash, June Carter, Rod Stewart, the Who, Weezer, George Benson, Smokey Robinson, the Unwritten Law, Lee DeWyze, Kelly Clarkson, Puff Daddy, Black Eyed Peas, Ryan Adams, Kathleen York, Stephen Bishop, David Cassidy, and Melissa Etheridge
October 15, 1969 ~ Country singer Merle Haggard releases Okie From Muskogee, lifted off the live album of the same name ~ Accounts of how this song came to be vary, but most likely it was written on a tour bus passing through rural Oklahoma. Merle Haggard and his then-drummer Eddie Burris started the song as a joke, to convey the sentiment and pride of rural Oklahomans, or “Okies”, opposed to the then-reigning liberal hippie-culture. Haggard would later comment: “We wrote it to be satirical originally. But then people latched onto it, and it really turned into this song that looked into the mindset of people so opposite of who and where we were. My dad's people. He's from Muskogee.” The single would spend four weeks atop the Billboard Country charts, earned Haggard a CMA Award for Single of the Year beating out Haggard's own The Fightin' Side Of Me, and became an anthem of southern pride