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 18, 2025 ~ Nu metal, rap rock, rap metal, alternative metal bassist Sam Rivers, full name Samuel Robert Rivers, passed away ~ Co-founding and key member of Limp Bizkit with whom he has recorded half a dozen albums since the late 1990s. The band is widely acknowledged for bringing rap-metal and nu-metal to mainstream, especially through the albums Three Dollar Bill Y'All, Significant Other and Chocolate Starfish & The Hot Dog Flavored Water, all of which reached multi-platinum status in their native America. The band rarely charted on the American singles charts, yet would score several international hits including Take A Look Around, the UK No.1 hit Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle) and the Who cover Behind Blue Eyes. Rivers retired from performing in the mid-2010s due to medical reasons, yet continued to record with the band. Rivers has also served as producer for Burn Season, the Embraced, and Indorphine. Upon Rivers' passing, his Limp Bizkit bandmates stated: “Sam wasn't just our bass player, he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound” ~ Rivers was born in 1977
October 18, 2023 ~ Rock, power pop singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Dwight Twilley passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Known best for two Billboard Hot 100 top 20 singles, I'm On Fire in 1975 with his backing unit the Dwight Twilley Band, and Girls in 1984. The latter would feature labelmate Tom Petty providing counterpoint vocals ~ Twilley was born in 1951
October 18, 2022 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, singer Franco Gatti passed away in Genoa, Italy ~ Co-founded pop, Italo disco outfit Ricchi & Poveri in 1967, one of the most popular Italian pop acts selling over an estimated 20 million records. The band is acclaimed for their unique vocal style based on the intertwining of four different voices, bass, tenor, alto and soprano. Well known songs include L'Ultimo Amore, Mamma Maria, M'Innamore Di Te, Se M'Innamoro, and Sarà Perché Ti Amo. Internationally the group is best known for participating in the 1978 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 12th place with Questo Amore ~ Gatti was born in 1942
October 18, 2022 ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly, neo-rockabilly singer Robert Gordon, full name Robert Ira Gordon, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, Jack Scott, Billy Lee Riley, and Eddie Cochran. First gained attention with a number of 1960s songs with the Confidentials, notably It's Summertime, Money and There's Something On Your Mind. In the 1970s, Gordon briefly strayed into punk rock, singing with Tuff Darts, before returning to rock & roll and neo-rockabilly. Gordon is also especially noted for the 1978 Fresh Fish Special album with Link Wray, and the 1996 The Humbler (Live) album which also featured Danny Gatton ~ Gordon was born in 1947
October 18, 2021 ~ Jazz guitarist, double bassist Franco Cerri passed away in Milan, Italy ~ Considered one of the most important European jazz musicians. Cites Django Reinhardt, Barney Kessel, and René Thomas as influences. Has worked with Chet Baker, Buddy Collette, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Griffin, Stéphane Grappelli, Lars Gullin, Billie Holiday, Lee Konitz, Gerry Mulligan, Lou Bennett, Bud Shank, Tony Scott, Phil Woods, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Roberto Vecchioni, Nicola Arigliano, Bunny Foy, Tullio de Piscopo, Pino Presti, Gianluigi Trovesi, Flavio Ambrosetti, and Jean-Luc Ponty ~ Cerri was born in 1926October 18, 2021 ~ Guitarist Lloyd Willis, also known as Lloyd Gitsy Willis, passed away in Spanish Town, Jamaica ~ Jamaican session guitarist. Perhaps best known for appearing on and co-writing Tease Me, an international hit for Chaka Demus & Pliers taken of their 1993 Tease Me album. The single, produced by Sly & Robbie, would reach top 20 across Europe with top 10 positions in the Netherlands and the UK ~ Willis was born ca.1948
October 18, 2018 ~ Pianist Randolph Hokansen passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Began playing piano at age 8. Regularly gave recitals at age 15. Studied under Harold Samuel, Myra Hess and Carl Friedberg. Performed as soloist under Thomas Beecham, Pierre Monteux, Arthur Fiedler, Walter Susskind, and Milton Katims ~ Hokanson was born in 1915
October 18, 2017 ~ Jazz fusion, progressive rock guitarist Phil Miller, full name Philip Paul Miller, passed away ~ Central figure in the Canterbury scene. Member of Delivery. Co-founding member of Matching Mole, Hatfield & the North, National Health. Has also worked with Caravan, Short Wave, In Cahoots, and Robert Wyatt ~ Miller was born in 1949
October 18, 2016 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader Mike Daniels, full name Mike John Brett Daniels, passed away ~ Influenced by King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong. Best known for leading jazz ensemble the Delta Jazzmen for about three decades starting in 1948. Worked with sidemen such as Gordon Blundy, John Barnes, Keith Nichols, and John Chilton ~ Daniels was born in 1928
October 18, 2013 ~ Rockabilly guitarist, producer Roland Janes passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for his association with Cowboy Jack Clement and for his work as producer and session musician at Sun Records through 1963. Worked with artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Lee Riley, Charlie Rich, and Sonny Burgess ~ Janes was born in 1933
October 18, 2012 ~ Free jazz pianist Borah Bergman passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Earl Hines, Bud Powell, Lennie Tristano, and Ornette Coleman. Has worked with sidemen such as Evan Parker, Thomas Chapin, Andrew Cyrille, Roscoe Mitchell, Thomas Buckner, Joe McPhee, Wilber Morris, Rashied Ali, Hamid Drake, Ivo Perelman, Peter Brötzmann, Conny Bauer, and John Zorn ~ Bergman was born in 1926
October 18, 2008 ~ Delia Juanita Warwick, commonly known as singer Dee Dee Warwick, passed away in Essex County, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of the Sweet Inspirations. Member of vocal trio the Gospelaires, along with her sister of Dionne Warwick and aunt Cissy Houston. One of the music industry's first openly lesbian artists. Recorded solo records since the early 1960s, including what is reportedly the earliest version of You're No Good in 1963, a song later notably recorded by Betty Everett as well as by Linda Ronstadt, and for the 1966 single I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (later made famous as a duet between the Supremes and the Temptations). Also known for songs such as I Want To Be With You, Foolish Fool, and She Didn't Know (She Kept On Talking) ~ Warwick was born in 1942
October 18, 2007 ~ Reggae, mbaqanga guitarist, keyboardist, singer Lucky Dube, full name Lucky Philip Dube, passed away in Rosettenville, South Africa ~ Initially a mbaqanga singer, Dube would switch to reggae in the mid-1980s, inspired by Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh. His earliest reggae releases would prove commercially unsuccessful, and the apartheid regime would ban him for his socio-political lyrics, yet Dube would soldier on and find his breakthrough with the 1985 Think About The Children album, which reached Platinum status. Dube would continue to record to critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming Africa's best selling reggae artist, well into the 2000s ~ Dube was born in 1964
October 18, 2006 ~ James Edward Pryor, commonly known as blues harpist Snooky Pryor, passed away in Cape Girardeau, Mississippi, USA ~ Influenced by Sonny Boy Williamson I, and by Sonny Boy Williamson II. Known for songs such as Judgement Day, Crazy About My Baby, Where Did You Learn To Shake It Like That, and Shake My Hand. Worked with Jimmy Rogers, Floyd Jones, Sunnyland Slim, Eddie Taylor, Johnny Man Young, Leroy Foster, and Homesick James ~ Pryor was born ca.1920
October 18, 2005 ~ Country, country-pop singer Carrie Underwood releases Jesus Take The Wheel, lead single off her Some Hearts debut album ~ Written by Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson, and Brett James, produced by Mark Bright. Warmly received by critics and a major commercial success, Jesus Take The Wheel reached No.20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, topped the Billboard Country chart, and earned Carrie Underwood two Grammy Awards, an Academy of Country Music Award, and a Gospel Music Association Award. Its Some Hearts parent album became the all-time fastest-selling debut album for any female country singer, and start a string of eight consecutive Billboard Country No.1 albums, all of which also reached top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 200 album charts. Over time, Jesus Take The Wheel would eventually sell over 2.5 million copies
October 18, 2000 ~ Nancy Gayle Peck, commonly known as jazz, torch singer, actress Julie London, passed away in Encino, California, USA ~ As a singer, noted for her husky contralto voice. Best known for her multi-million-seller signature song Cry Me A River, lifted off her 1955 Julie Is Her Name debut album. Though London would rarely reach the charts since, she continued to record through the late 1960s, her repertoire consisting mostly of covers of traditional pop and jazz standards. Parallel to and beyond her recording career, London enjoyed popularity as an actress, perhaps most notably in the medical drama TV series Emergency, which ran for well over a 100 episodes from 1972 through 1977 and spawned half a dozen additional TV films. The show was produced by London's ex-husband Jack Webb and also featured her husband pianist, songwriter, actor Bobby Troup, who had written the oft-covered Nat King Cole hit (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 ~ Peck was born in 1926October 18, 1999 ~ Anthony John Kronenberg, commonly known as jazz drummer, pianist, bandleader, composer Tony Crombie, passed away in London, UK ~ Formed rock & roll outfit the Rockets, modeled after Bill Haley's the Comets. Also ushered in British be-bop. Worked with diverse array of artists including Duke Ellington, Conway Twitty, Freddy Cannon, Johnny Preston, Wee Willie Harris, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Joe Pass, Mark Murphy, and Eddie Lockjaw Davis ~ Kronenberg was born in 1925
October 18, 1994 ~ Saxophonist Lee Allen passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as a mentor and eventually member of the Blasters. Has also worked with Paul Gayten, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Lloyd Price, Earl King, Huey Piano Smith, Professor Longhair, T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, Dr John, Buddy Miles, and the Stray Cats ~ Allen was born in 1927
October 18, 1993 ~ Pop rock group Crowded House release Together Alone, the band's 4th studio album ~ Critics welcomed the band's foray into more experimental and musically varied territory, while still maintaining main songwriter Neil Finn's distinctive pop sense. Together Alone would top the album charts in New Zealand. The album's lead single Distant Sun reached top 10 in New Zealand, top 30 in Australia. Locked Out reached top 20 in the UK, fueled by its inclusion on the soundtrack to Reality Bites. On working with their new producer Youth, also known as bassist for Killing Joke, drummer Paul Hester later commented: “We flew in Youth and an engineer called Greg Hunter straight off the streets of Brixton, UK, to Karekare Beach, New Zealand, miles from anywhere, no shops, no nothing. They were in shock for days. Didn't know where the fuck they were.”
October 18, 1991 ~ Singer Whitney Houston releases I Belong To You, lifted off her I'm Your Baby Tonight album ~ Despite warm critical reception, with Billboard praising Whitney Houston's “mature and restrained vocal”, the Narada Michael Walden-produced I Belong To You would be overlooked by pop audiences as it failed to make much of an impact. In America, the single did make No.10 Billboard R&B but failed to reach the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Elsewhere, the single barely charted if at all, and at best only reached the lower echelons of the charts stalling at No.79 in the Netherlands and No.54 in the UK. The song did earn Houston a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, an award that would go to Chaka Khan's The Woman I AmOctober 18, 1990 ~ Jose Gabriel de Souza Diniz, commonly known as singer, composer Gabriel Diniz born in Campo Grande, Brazil ~ Has released a total of three studio albums during his short career. Teamed up with Wesley Safadão for the song Acabou Acabou in 2017. Following his plane crash, killing him at age 28, had the posthumous 2019 Brazil summer hit Jenifer ~ Diniz passed away in 2019
October 18, 1988 ~ Supergroup the Traveling Wilburys release The Traveling Wilburys Vol.1, the band's debut album ~ Once described as “the biggest supergroup of all time” the Traveling Wilburys consisted of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison, and came about by happenstance. Harrison had intended to form a group for some time, and when he he was in Los Angeles he was in need of a studio to record Handle With Care as the intended B-side for a single off his Cloud Nine album, produced by Jeff Lynne. Harrison asked his pal Lynne to help him on the track and also invited Orbison to attend the session. In need of a studio, the musicians arranged to record the track at Dylan's home studio in Malibu. When Harrison picked up a guitar at Petty's house, he also invited Petty. All five musicians worked on the track, and when label executives heard the result they decided the track was too good to be used as a B-side, and the new supergroup was formed. Handle With Care would be issued as the lead single off the new group's first full-lenght album. The single reached No.45 on the American Billboard Hot 100 and top 10 in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The parent album would earn a Grammy Award nomination for Album of the Year and peaked inside the top 10 in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and America. The success of the album would revitalise the careers of Dylan and Petty. All members would continue to regularly collaborate in various configurations, appearing on eachother's solo albums. Orbison would die of a heart attack a few months after the release of The Traveling Wilburys Vol.1, and the remaining four members recorded one more studio album.
October 18, 1984 ~ Singer, violinist, double bassist, guitarist, songwriter, teacher Esperanza Spalding, full name Esperanza Emily Spalding, born in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Junjo in 2006. Draws from a wide array of idioms including jazz fusion, bossa nova, neo soul, and R&B. Cites jazz bassists Ron Carter and Dave Holland as influences. Credits classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma with first inspiring her to pursue a career in music, after watching him on the educational children's TV show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Performing professionally since a young age, Spalding has been called a prodigy, but she adamantly denounced the title though: “I am surrounded by prodigies everywhere I go, but because they are a little older than me, or not a female, or not on a major label, they are not acknowledged as such.”
October 18, 1982 ~ Shaffer Chimere Smith, commonly known as singer, songwriter Ne-Yo, born in Camden, Kansas, USA ~ Debuted in 2006 with the critically acclaimed In My Own Words album, spawning the charttopping single So Sick. Also known for songs such as Sexy Love, Because Of You, Closer, Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself), and Time of Our Lives featuring Pitbull. Has also collaborated with Remy Ma, Ghostface Killah, Fabolous, Sarah Connor, Rihanna, Plies, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Flo Rida, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, Rick Ross, LL Cool J, T-Pain, Jeezy, Calvin Harris, Conor Maynard, David Guetta, Jessica Sanchez, and Armin Van Buuren
October 18, 1980 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, I Believe In You by Don Williams hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ A few days after Roger Cook, who had co-written the song with Nashville native Sam Hogin, finished his demo, producer Garth Fundis asked Cook if he had something suitable and Cook suggested I Believe In You. Issued as the lead single off the album of the same name, it became the eleventh Billboard Country charttopper for Don Williams and his sole top 40 hit on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No.24. Previously, Cook enjoyed success in his native UK, his songs recorded by the likes of Petula Clark, Cliff Richard, Cilla Black, and the Hollies. Following the success of I Believe In You, Cook would increasingly write for American pop and country singers including Crystal Gayle, Juice Newton, John Prine, and George Strait. In 1997, Cook became the first Englishman to be inducted into the the Nashville Songwriters Hall of FameOctober 18, 1980 ~ Country singer, guitarist Josh Gracin, full name Joshua Marin Gracin, born in Westland, Michigan, USA ~ First gained attention in 2003 as contestant on the talent contest American Idol, reaching fourth place. Would release his eponymous Josh Gracin debut album the following year, which included the Billboard Country No.1 hit Nothin' To Lose. Would score a number of country hits throughout the end of the decade, notably Favorite State Of Mind and We Weren't Crazy