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 2, 1950 ~ Progressive rock, art rock, pop rock guitarist, bassist, songwriter Mike Rutherford, full name Michael John Cloete Crawford Rutherford, born in Portsmouth, UK ~ Co-founding member of Genesis, serving as the band's bassist, rhythm guitarist and following Steve Hackett departure in 1977 lead guitarist. Co-wrote some of the band's best known including Follow You Follow Me, Turn It On Again, Land Of Confusion and Throwing It All Away. Rutherford also recorded as a solo artist and fronted the side project Mike + the Mechanics, known best for the 1989 The Living Years hit single
October 2, 1949 ~ Richard Lester Meyers, commonly known as punk rock, alternative rock, art punk singer, bassist, songwriter Richard Hell born in Lexington, Kentucky, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Neon Boys, which evolved into Television. Co-founded the Heartbreakers alongside Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan. Would however become best known as frontman of Richard Hell & the Voidoids, acclaimed for their pivotal 1977 Blank Generation album initially met with mixed reviews but in time regarded as a landmark album shaping early New York punk. Following his departure from the band Meyers semi-retired from music, focusing on a career as a film critic and author. Meyers would briefly come out of retirement in the 1990s, playing in the Dim Stars alongside Thurston Moore, Steve Shelley, Don Fleming and Voidoids-bandmate Robert Quine
October 2, 1948 ~ Singer, songwriter Chris LeDoux born in Biloxi, Mississippi, USA ~ Rodeo champion, rodeo Hall of Famer singing rodeo songs. Some three dozen albums to his name, most of them self-released. Shot to national promince being mentioned in Garth Brooks' Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old). LeDoux would later duet with Brooks on What Are You Gonna Do With A Cowboy. As a solo artist LeDoux is best known for songs such as Cadillac Ranch, Ten Seconds In The Saddle, Stampede, and for Bang A Drum, the latter with Jon Bon Jovi ~ LeDoux passed away in 2005
October 2, 1946 ~ Joel Sonnier, commonly known as Cajun, zydeco, country singer, accordionist, songwriter Jo-El Sonnier, born in Rayne, Louisiana, USA ~ Active professionally since the late 1960s, first performing on the radio at age six. Would become a fixture on the Louisiana Cajun scene, earning a devoted following bridging the musical traditions. Well over two dozen albums to his name, especially noted for Come On Joe released in 1987, and for Cajun Young Blood released in 1996. Best known for No More One More Time and the Richard Thompson-cover Tear Stained Letter, both of which reached top 10 Billboard Country. Guested on albums by Emmylou Harris (Elite Hotel), Johnny Cash, George Strait, Elvis Costello (King Of America), Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton, the Indigo Girls, Sammy Kershaw, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and Mark Knopfler ~ Sonnier passed away in 2024October 2, 1945 ~ Singer Don McLean, full name Donald McLean III born in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ Best known for the 1971 hit American Pie, considered a cultural touchstone. Also known for songs such as Vincent (Starry Starry Night), the Roy Orbison-cover Crying, Since I Don't Have You and Wonderful Baby. Wrote And I Love You So, which would be covered by Perry Como, Helen Reddy, Glen Campbell and perhaps most notably by Elvis Presley
October 2, 1945 ~ Christina McKechnie, commonly known as singer, songwriter Licorice McKechnie, born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Left home in her teens with the intention of marrying Bert Jansch though they were never married. Plays keyboard, guitar, percussion. Member of the Incredible String Band. Worked with Mike Garson, Mick Woodmansey, Leonard Halliwell, and the Silver Moon Band. Went missing in 1987 hitchhiking across the Arizona dessert
October 2, 1944 ~ Conductor, organist, harpsichordist Ton Koopman, full name Antonius Gerhardus Michael Koopman, born in Zwolle, the Netherlands ~ Leading figure in the “authentic performance” movement. Focuses on Baroque music, especially that of Johann Sebastian Bach. Founded the Portland Baroque Orchestra. Founded the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, and has recorded the complete Bach vocal works with the latter featuring mezzo-soprano soloist Elisabeth von Magnus
October 2, 1941 ~ Bassist Ron Meagher born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Member of the Beau Brummels until drafted to serve in the Vietnam war. Present on the band's first four albums including the 1965 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single Just A Little. Sang lead on They'll Make You Cry of the band's Introducing The Beau Brummels debut album. After his stint in the military Meagher has worked with the Black Velvet Band and joined several Brummels revivals
October 2, 1940 ~ Patrick Linch, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Patrick Sky, born in College Park, Georgia, USA ~ Emerged from New York's Greenwich Village folk scene. Best known for his 1973 album Songs That Made America Famous, a collection of politically radical, satirical songs. It also included the first recorded version of Kuang Prabang written by close friend Dave Van Ronk ~ Linch passed away in 2021
October 2, 1938 ~ Singer, guitarist Nick Gravenites, full name Nicholas George Gravenites, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Somewhat overlooked guitarist, known best for his role in 1960s white blues and psychedelia. Over half a dozen records to his name as a solo artist, noted most for My Labors released in 1969. Closely associated with Paul Butterfield, wrote Born In Chicago and co-wrote East-West with Michael Bloomfield, both recorded by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Formed the Electric Flag, which also included Bloomfield. Worked with Quicksilver Messenger Service. Worked with the Kozmic Blues Band, Janis Joplin's first band, and served as co-lead singer of Big Brother & the Holding Company after Joplin's departure. Gravenites has also worked with Brewer & Shipley, for whom he produced the 1970 Billboard Hot 100 No.10 hit One Toke Over The Line, as well as with Otis Rush, and the Usual Suspects ~ Gravenites passed away in 2024October 2, 1936 ~ Blues, R&B drummer Clifton James born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for backing Bo Diddley on his most pivotal recordings alongside maracas player Jerome Green and bassist Roosevelt Jackson. Diddley once commented James was the one who did the original Diddley beat. James has also worked with Memphis Slim, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, and the Chicago Blues All-Stars ~ James passed away in 2006
October 2, 1933 ~ Singer Dave Somerville, full name David Troy Somerville, born in Guelph, Canada ~ Lead singer of the Diamonds, a vocal harmony group known for a string of late 1950s hits including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Little Darlin', Silhouettes, and The Stroll. Somerville recorded as a solo artist during the 1960s, going by the moniker David Troy, and joined the Four Preps in 1967 as replacement for Ed Cobb, the group's original bass singer. Somerville has also co-written The Ballad Of The Unknown Stuntman, the song serving as both the inspiration and theme song for the successful ABC TV series The Fall Guy ~ Somerville passed away in 2015October 2, 1919 ~ Guitarist, lutenist, composer John Duarte, full name John William Duarte, born in Sheffield, UK ~ Wrote some 150 works for guitar and lute, ranging from Renaissance-influenced pieces such as English Suite Op.31 to atonal works such as Dreams Op.91 ~ Duarte passed away in 2004
October 2, 1917 ~ Organist, music director, composer Francis Jackson, full name Francis Alan Jackson, born in Malton, UK ~ Best known as music director for York Minster for well over three decades starting in 1946. Has also recorded and toured extensively and composed canticles, anthems, hymns, and organ sonatas. Well known pieces include East Acklam, Daniel In Babylon and A Time Of Fire ~ Jackson passed away in 2022
October 2, 1915 ~ Robert Russell Wise, commonly known as bluegrass fiddler Chubby Wise, born in Lake City, Florida, USA ~ Considered one of country, Western swing's premier fiddlers, well known for his work with Bill Monroe for most of the 1940s. Co-wrote Shenandoah Waltz with Clyde Moody, recorded by Moody in 1947 and covered by Hank Thompson, the Stanley Brothers, and Ernest Tubb. Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, specifically noted for The Tennessee Fiddler released in 1961. In-demand sideman, present on recordings by Flatt & Scruggs, Hank Snow, Mac Wiseman, Bob Wills, and Red Allen ~ Wise passed away in 1996October 2, 1885 ~ Singer, jug blower Earl McDonald born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Active mostly from the early-1900s through the 1930s. Helped popularize jug music performing and recording with bands such as the Original Louisville Jug Band, the Old Southern Jug Band, the Dixieland Jug BLowers and Ballard Chefs ~ McDonald passed away in 1949