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 17, 1978 ~ Disco group the Village People release YMCA, lifted off their Cruisin' album ~ Issued as the sole single off their third studio album, YMCA would become the band's biggest hit and peaking at No.2 one of only two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, the other being In The Navy. Globally, the single would sell over an estimated 12 million copies. In 2020, the song would be inducted in Grammy Hall of Fame and selected by Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry. In its official press release, the Library stated that “back in its heyday, YMCA was a hit around the world, going to No.1 on the charts in over 15 countries, and its ongoing popularity is evidence that, despite the naysayers, disco has never truly died”October 17, 1976 ~ Country bassist Ernie Newton, full name Ernest F Newton, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Orphaned at age 5. Started working in minstrel shows and radio orchestras in his teens. Closely associated with Fred Waring, Les Paul and Red Foley early on in his career. Would go on to become an in-demand session musician appearing on numerous classic country tracks including I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and Lost Highway (Hank Williams), Making Believe (Kitty Wells), There Stands The Glass (Webb Pierce), i Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know (the Davis Sisters), Blue Moon Of Kentucky (Bill Monroe), and Man Of Constant Sorrow (the Stanley Brothers) ~ Newton was born in 1908
October 17, 1972 ~ Marshall Bruce Mathers III, commonly known as rapper Eminem, born in Joseph, Missouri, USA ~ One of the first white rappers to achieve mainstream success. Rose to fame in the late 1990s, especially acclaimed for the 1999 The Slim Shady LP and its 2000 follow-up The Marshall Mathers LP. Known for songs such as The Real Slim Shady, Stan featuring Dido, Lose Yourself, Crack A Bottle, and The Monster featuring RihannaOctober 17, 1972 ~ Tarkan Tevetoghu, mononymously known as pop-dance singer, songwriter Tarkan, born in Alzey, Germany ~ Dubbed “the Prince of the Bosporus” considered one of Turkey's most popular pop singers active since the early 1990s. Known for songs such as Kil Oldum, Simarik, Kuzu Kuzu and Bounce. Has collaborated with Sezen Aksu, Ozan Colakoglu, Nazan Oncel, Wyclef Jean, and Tiësto
October 17, 1971 ~ Skate punk, punk rock, pop punk drummer, guitarist Derrick Plourde, full name Derrick William Plourde, born in Goleta, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of Lagwagon, with whom he recorded the acclaimed albums Duh, Trashed and Hoss, before departing the band in 1996 to be succeeded by Dave Raun. Plourde has also worked with Bad Astronaut, Jaws, the Ataris, Mad Caddies, and Rich Kids On LSD ~ Plourde passed away in 2005
October 17, 1970 ~ In its 5th week on the charts, I'll Be There by the Jackson 5 hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Issued as the lead single of their aptly titled Third Album, I'll Be There would be the fourth of four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits for the sibling group, making them the first act to have their first four charting singles reach the top position. Over the years the song has been covered over an estimated 150 times, including notably as a romantic duet by Mariah Carey and guest vocalist Trey Lorenz for Carey's 1992 MTV Unplugged album, a popular format in the 1990s. It would be Carey's biggest hit up until that point in her career, become one of her all-time best known, and is arguably more famous than the original. Initially, Carey did not intend to perform the song but chose the song as a last-minute addition to her set list as she was told most acts would include one cover for their MTV Unplugged performanceOctober 17, 1969 ~ Christian rock singer, songwriter Ian Eskelin born in Springfield, Missouri, USA ~ Best known as founding member, lead singer of Christian rock band All Star United. Also an in-demand producer and songwriter, having worked with artists such as the Sidewalk Prophets, Francesca Battistelli (Holy Spirit), Chris August, Hawk Nelson, and 7eventh Time Down (God Is On The Move)
October 17, 1969 ~ Rapper, producer Wyclef Jean born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti ~ Rose to fame as member of the Fugees alongside Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel, known especially for their 1996 The Score sophomore album. Released his solo debut album, Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival, the following year spawning the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Gone Till November. Also known for songs such as 911 featuring Mary J Blige, Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill) featuring Akon, Niia & Lil Wayne, for writing and producing Santana's Maria Maria and for appearing on Destiny's Child's No No No
October 17, 1968 ~ David Nesta Marley, commonly known as singer, guitarist, drummer, producer, songwriter, actor Ziggy Marley, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Son of reggae icon Bob Marley and Rita Marley. Fronted sibling outfit Melody Makers, known best for their 1988 Grammy Award-winning album Conscious Party which spawned the hit single Tomorrow People. Marley has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist and served as producer or collaborator for the likes of Cheb Mami, Angélique Kidjo, Donna Summer, Stephen Marley, Carlos Santana, Florida Georgia Line, and Kenny Chesney
October 17, 1967 ~ Violinist Roberto Cani, full name Roberto Salvatore Cani, born in Milan, Italy ~ Upon completion of his musical studies, Cani would win several prestigious awards early on in his career including the 1990 Paganini Competition and the 1994 Tchaikovsky International Competition. Cani would be acknowledged as a versatile soloist and chamber musician, performing the world over. Over the course of his career, Cani has worked with La Scala, the American Youth Symphony, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. Cani also formed the Hollywood Piano Trio with pianist Inna Faliks and cellist Robert DeMaine, has collaborated with artists such as Justus Frantz, Jeffrey Swann, Lynn Harrell, and Jason Vieaux, was a faculty member of the California State University, and served as concertmaster of the Los Angeles Opera from 2011 until his death. The last two years of his life, Cani battled pancreatic cancer yet continued to perform ~ Cani passed away in 2025October 17, 1965 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, actress, songwriter Alejandra Avalos, full name Alejandra Margarita Avalos Rodriguez, born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Leading roles in theater productions of The Rocky Horror Show and Jesus Christ Superstar. TV host. Released het debut album Ser O No Ser in 1988. Would go on to record several acclaimed and commercially successful albums, drawing from a wide array of genres including mariachi, bolero, pop, dance, and other idioms
October 17, 1964 ~ In its 7th week on the charts, Do Wah Diddy Diddy by Manfred Mann hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by husband-wife team Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, looking to recreate the hit they had with Da-doo-ron-ron, a top 10 hit for the Crystals on both sides of the Atlantic in 1963. Do Wah Diddy was first recorded by girl group the Exciters, yet it would not become a hit, stalling in the 70s on the Billboard Hot 100. However, when Manfred Mann got hold of the song, he added an extra “diddy” to the song and made Do Wah Diddy Diddy a No.1 hit. When the Exciters version went nowhere, the songwriters had initially planned to record the song themselves under the moniker the Raindrops, and Greenwich was initially put off a male group had gotten hold of the song. She quickly turned around though, later commenting: “We thought, with the British Invasion, maybe this is a lucky charm, and it sure was”
October 17, 1963 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record I Want To Hold Your Hand at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Produced by George Martin. The first Beatles track recorded using four-track equipment. Released in the UK the following month, b/w This Boy recorded on the same day, it would become the second-best best-selling UK single of the decade by any artist, behind the band's She Loves You. Released in the USA in December, b/w I Saw Her Standing There, it would become the band's first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hitOctober 17, 1960 ~ Singer Angéla Kramers, full name Angelina Maria Kramers, born in Haarlem, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of pop girl group the Dolly Dots. The band would score numerous top 10 hits in the Netherlands, starting in the late 1970s, including Tell It All About Boys, Hela-do-ladi-do, STOP, Do You Wanna Wanna, She's A Liar, Dreaming Of You, and What A Night. Kramers would retire from music, apart from the occasional Dots reunion concert, after the band disbanded. She is a yoga instructor and founded the charity organization Stichting SAM aiming to offer therapy to autistic children and children suffering from Down syndrome. The foundation is named after her son Sam, who himself has Down syndrome
October 17, 1960 ~ Punk rock, pop punk guitarist John Haggerty born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore, UFO's Michael Schenker and the Band's Robbie Robertson. Best known as member of Naked Raygun from 1983 through 1989. After his departure from the band formed Pegboy which also included his brother Joe Haggerty. Toured with Stiff Little Fingers in 2011 substituting for Ian McCallum who fell ill
October 17, 1958 ~ Country singer, songwriter Alan Jackson, full name Alan Eugene Jackson, born in Newnan, Georgia, USA ~ Blends traditional honky-tonk with country-pop, both keeping the flame alive and updating the genre to a mass appeal. Has sold over 75 million records. Debuted in 1989 with the single Blue Blooded Woman to little success. Its follow-up, Here In The Real World would the top 5 of Billboard Country chart. Well known Jackson songs include I'd Love You All Over Again, Don't Rock The Jukebox, She's Got The Rhythm (And I Got The Blues), Livin' On Love, Tall Tall Trees, Little Bitty, Right On The Money, Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning), Drive (For Daddy Gene), and Small Town Southern Man
October 17, 1958 ~ Jazz, swing guitarist, banjoist Howard Alden born in Newport, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Well over two dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for the albums Swing Street with Don Barrett, Plays The Music Of Harry Reser, Thirteen Strings and My Shining Hour. Has collaborated with the likes of Kenny Davern, Ruby Braff, Ken Peplowski, Bucky Pizzarelli, Warren Vaché Jr, New Jazz Wizards, Charlie Byrd, Milt Hinton, Butch Miles, Doug Munro, and Loren Schoenberg
October 17, 1957 ~ Giuseppe Henry Palladino, commonly known as bassist, producer Pino Palladino, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Prolific session bassist. Took over as the Who bassist after the death of founding member John Entwistle. Member of the Soultronics. Closely associated with John Mayer. Sessioned, sometimes produced, for a host of internationally known stars including Gary Numan, Paul Young, Joan Armatrading, Go West, David Gilmour, the Law, Melissa Etheridge, Richard Wright, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Mike Lindup, Richard Ashcroft, Steve Jordan, David Knopfler, Don Henley, Jeff Beck, D'Angelo, the Gaddabouts, Chris Eaton, Chris De Burgh, Phil Collins, Tears For Fears, the Christians, Julia Fordham, David Crosby, Michael McDonald, Bryan Ferry, Carly Simon, Peter Cetera, Jimmy Nail, BB King, Nikka Costa, Rod Stewart, Edie Brickell, Ronan Keating, Charlotte Church, Daniel Bedingfield, Alain Clark, Ed Sheeran, Kimbra, Kelly Clarkson, Keith Richards, Keith Urban, Nine Inch Nails, Josh Groban, and Jacob CollierOctober 17, 1956 ~ Rockabily, rock & roll singer Gene Vincent records Pink Thunderbird at Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Under the supervision of producer Ken Nelson, Gene Vincent and his backing unit the Blue Caps record Pink Thunderbird as well as B-i-bickey Bi-bo-bo-go, Pretty Pretty Baby and Cruisin'
October 17, 1956 ~ Duo Mickey & Sylvia record Love Is Strange ~ Written by Bo Diddley, using his wife's name as a pseudonym. Produced by Bob Rolontz. Released the following month as a single, b/w I'm Going Home. Notable covers would be recorded by Buddy Holly, Betty Everett with Jerry Butler, Peaches & Herb, Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton, and by Everything But The Girl. The original recording would be inducted in the Grammy Award Hall of Fame in 2004 for its influence as a rock & roll single
October 17, 1953 ~ Jazz trombonist, singer Joseph Bowie born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Brother of trumpeter Lester Bowie. Leader and sideman. Best known for leading jazz-punk outfit Defunkt and as a member of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. Worked with Alan Silva, Frank Wright, Bobby Few, Dr John, Cecil Taylor, the Human Arts Ensemble, Nona Hendryx, Leroy Jenkins, Vernon Reid, Stanley Cowell, Sam Rivers, Ornette Coleman, James Chance, Jean-Paul Bourelly, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Hans Dulfer, Candy Dulfer, Saskia Laroo, Naked Ears, the Emergency Room, Funkateer, Yuri Honing, Oliver Lake, Don Pullen, Luther Thomas, Yusef Lateef, and Kahil El-ZabarOctober 17, 1951 ~ Sharon Ulrich, commonly known as folk, pop violinist, guitarist, pianist, mandolinist Shari Ulrich, born in San Rafael, California, USA ~ Formed Pied Pumpkin in the early 1970s with Rick Scott and Joe Mock. Touring member of the Hometown Band. As a solo artist especially acclaimed for her 1980 Long Nights debut album and its follow-up One Step Ahead released the next year
October 17, 1950 ~ Barbara Alexandra Reemer, commonly known as singer Sandra Reemer, born in Bandung, Indonesia ~ Half of Sandra & Andres, the other half being Andres Holten. The duo, representing the Netherlands would reach 4th place at the 1972 Eurovision Songfestival with Als Het Om De Liefde Gaat. As a solo artist Reemer would also compete in the 1976 edition with The Party's Over, which reached ninth place, and the 1979 edition with Colorado, which reached 12th place ~ Reemer passed away in 2017
October 17, 1949 ~ Jazz, free jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Kazutoki Umezu born in Senai, Japan ~ Fronted 1980s quartet the Doctor Umezu Band. As a solo artist, leader also known for the acclaimed albums Eclecticism released in 1993 and its follow-up Ahiru released in 1996. As sideman present on albums by Kazumi Watanabe, the East Asia Orchestra, Third Person, Yannick Rieu, Butch Morris, Leonid Soybelman, and DoradoOctober 17, 1947 ~ Rock, country rock, folk singer, guitarist, fiddler Scott Boyer, full name Charles Scott Boyer II, born in Chenango, New York, USA ~ Member of 31st of February. Co-founded Cowboy with Tommy Talton in 1969, best known for Please Be With Me which was later notably covered by Eric Clapton. Member of the Decoys from 1988 until his death in 2018 ~ Boyer passed away in 2018